Spiced Apple Baked Oatmeal

My favorite make-ahead breakfast, packed with fiber and protein and incredibly versatile! Truth is, I’m not a hot oatmeal or even muesli lover, so this is the perfect nourishing breakfast with all of the added health benefits. Feel free to mix and match flavors- add different fruit, dried fruit, nuts, seeds and other nut butters to make this recipe your own.

Yield: 10-12 oatmeal bars

Ingredients:

2 apples, cored and diced (whatever kind you have on hand)

1/4 tsp salt

2 cups milk (dairy or non-dairy)

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/4 cup maple syrup

1/4 cup creamy peanut butter (substitute

3 cups oats

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 cup walnuts (substitute pecans, almonds, pistachios!)

Directions:

In a small pan, saute apples for 10-15 minutes on low heat until soft. Sprinkle with salt and set aside to cool.

In a large bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs, vanilla, maple syrup and peanut butter until smooth. Add in the rest of the ingredients and stir until fully combined.

Pour the mixture into a prepared 9×13 pan and bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until set and firm.

Allow to cool before cutting into squares. Keep in the refrigerator in an air tight container for up to 1 week.

Serve with extra peanut butter, fresh berries and a drizzle of maple syrup!